[Autumn1081]

Hi, I'm a new grad...i started in the NICU almost three months ago. Now, my orientation is almost over, and I'm starting to get worried about making it on my own. Does anyone have any tips for making it? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[nursecheryl81]

I too came off of orientation this past November... The best advice I can give you is to ask questions! If your still not sure ask again! I ask tons of questions!!! Look up to senior staff and dont be afraid to have them show you something if your not sure!! Best of Luck!!!! I know first hand how it feels!! I am starting to feel comfortable on my own now...

[BittyBabyGrower]

Ask questions, don't be afraid to! Is your preceptor on the same shift..we tend to be protective of our "kids" LOL and help them out

[sparkyRN]

Whatever you do, don't avoid asking for help because you're worried what the other nurses will think. I'm much more concerned about the new nurse who never asks for help or asks questions. No one expects you to be comfortable yet-I'd be worried for your babies if you were! All of us
"old hags" know it takes 2 years to see and do enough to really have confidence in the NICU setting.

[Tiki_Torch]

I agree about using this time to ask questions and for help as much as you need to. The longer time goes by and your coworkers see you are not asking as many questions, they will be more likely to think you don't have questions and are getting along better than the average newbie. We all expect questions and to repeat our answers, etc with you for the first few months when you are out of orientation. It's very true that it takes about 2 years to begin to feel "comfortable" in the NICU. Take advantage of your newbie status and milk it for all it's worth. Spend time with your books reading up on the conditions of the patients you take care of each shift and that will probably be helpful too. In the NICU (and really, all areas of nursing) education is a continuous process... fo the rest of your career.

You'll do fine!!!

Oh yes, and when you begin to feel overwhelmed, try this: Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and count to three. I read this in a nursing journal once and it really works great for helping to calm and center yourself. Works like a charm!

[Jolie]

Everyone experiences the same jitters when they are about to start working on their own. My preceptor once said, "Up until now, you've had ME looking over your shoulder. Now that your're done with orientation, EVERYONE will be looking over your shoulder!"

Once, when I doubted my ability to function in the NICU, I looked around the unit (we had about 20 RNs per shift) and thought, "All these nurses are doing just fine, and at least ONE of them has to be dumber than me!" Not the most Christian-like thought to have, but it did give me a little confidence.

[lefthander1975]

Autumn- I feel the same way you do. I am also a new grad and my orientation will be over in a couple of months and it feels like time is flying by way to fast. On the days when I feel like i can do this-the next day I will have a bad day and think I suck as a nurse. I constantly ask questions and feel like I am driving my preceptors crazy BUT I don't care anymore. I am sure i even repeat some of those questions. I just always want to make sure I do everything 100% correct.
The other thing I am still struggling w/is the transition from student nurse to RN. I guess I still feel like a student because I have a nurse next to me to help me.
Anyways-good luck to you and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Caroline

Originally Posted by Autumn1081

Hi, I'm a new grad...i started in the NICU almost three months ago. Now, my orientation is almost over, and I'm starting to get worried about making it on my own. Does anyone have any tips for making it? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

[suzanne4]

NICU is one area that takes you at least one year at the very minimum to even begin to feel comforable..........nothing that you learn in nursing school prepares you for this............if you weren't nervous then I would be wondering about you, and be very concerned. Ask as many questions as you need to, and don't be afraid to ask...........things can go sour quite rapidly and then it is too late to ask...............

This is why I always shrug my shoulders when someone hasn't even put a foot in a NICU and decides that they want the fastest way to becoming an NNP. They want an accelerated program for becoming a nurse as well as getting their MSN.......little do they know.